Swine flu greater threat than previously thought

The Czech health authorities say the swine flu is proving a greater threat than previously thought. The head of the Czech Immunology Society Roman Prymula told the CTK news agency on Thursday that swine flu caused more health complications and resulted in more deaths than the seasonal flu. Three regions in the Czech Republic have now reached the threshold of an epidemic. Eight people have died of the swine flu or complications resulting from it to date and the health authorities currently register over 600 cases. Since only patients with serious problems are tested, experts say the actual number of cases could be much higher.